Vertical Horizon had a No. 1 hit, "Everything You Want," in 2000, followed by a top 25 hit "You're a God." Vertical Horizon is more horizontal these days when it comes to chart success; their latest album, 2009's "Burning the Days," went mostly unnoticed by radio. But that hasn't stopped the four-piece group from making a living on the road. The band, led by singer-songwriter Matt Scannell, heads to Albany today to kick off the city's Alive at Five free outdoor concert series. Local soul/hip-hop band Mirk will open the show. 5 p.m. Thursday. Free. Riverfront Park, Corning Preserve, Albany. 434-4032; http://www.albanyevents.org

Friday

Everyone wins in SPAC's Battle of the Bands contest. Sure, only one of the 10 bands will snare the grand prize: a professionally recorded album, a music video, airplay on WEQX-FM and other goodies. But they get to perform at the Spa Little Theatre and the panel of judges includes moe. drummer Vinnie Amico, who calls the Capital Region home, and a talent scout from Blue Note Records. The bands -- Don't Look Down, Eastbound Jesus, Head Band Jack, High Peaks Band, Broken Glass & Cigarettes, MaryLeigh & The Fauves, Probing Digit, Stuck on Stupid, The Garden Variety and The Late Shift -- each get 10 minutes. And the winner will be chosen by the judges' pick and audience response. 6 p.m. Friday. $15. Spa Little Theatre, Avenue of the Pines, Spa State Park, Saratoga Springs. 587-3330; http://www.spac.org

Saturday

The Close Encounters with Music series (normally heard at the Mahaiwe) closes its season by opening the season at Ozawa Hall (before the BSO moves in). Titled "Fiesta," the program is all Latin, of course, but it's not just your typical mariachis and tangos. There will be a suite for accordion, cello and percussion by Vermont composer Jorge Martin, plus works of Ginastera, Villa-Lobos and Granados. As for tangos, members of David Parsons' modern dance troupe will perform to Asto Piazzola's "Grand Tango." 6 p.m. Saturday, Ozawa Hall, Tanglewood, Lenox, Mass. $15-$50. (800) 843-0778

James McMurtry rocks like a novelist (he's the son of Larry McMurtry). But his mastery of words is only half the story. McMurtry plays guitar like a demon, fusing the serpentine lines of Richard Thompson with the open-tuned mantras of an old-time banjo player. A recent solo appearance at Hudson's Club Helsinki was no less fascinating for its lack of electricity, with McMurtry using a 12-string to fill up the space. He'll hit Valentine's with his hard-rocking band. 8 p.m. Wednesday, Valentine's, 17 New Scotland Ave., Albany, 432-6572, $20.

Lots of legacy performers have shifted gears. Not Robin Trower. He has remained true to his sound -- equal parts Jimi Hendrix and classic British blues. He's never found a regular vocalist to match Jim Dewar's iron pipes from his landmark albums like "Bridge of Sighs" and "Long Misty Days," or occasional partner Jack Bruce's, but the six-string sonics are still mighty. Trower returns to The Egg Wednesday. Don't miss it. 8 p.m. Wednesday, The Egg, Empire State Plaza, Albany, 473-1845, $33.75-$43.75.